TAMPA, Fla. — The coronavirus testing center at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa has reopened.
- Coronavirus testing site returns to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
- Site for pre-screened county residents with appointments
- Call (813) 272-5900 for information on testing
- CORONAVIRUS LIVE UPDATES: In the Tampa Bay area
The COVID-19 testing site originally open last week but closed Friday after going through all of its 900 coronavirus testing kits.
When the site reopens Wednesday, it will do so with some changes.
Hillsborough County health officials said the site will only take appointments from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the safety of health care workers. Last week, testing went until 2 p.m.
“The challenges are we have a dedicated team out there of health care professionals and with this Florida weather we have an increase in the heat index so they’re certainly having challenged donning all this protective equipment, said Hillsborough County Director of Emergency Management Timothy Dudley. "We want to make sure that our health care professionals are safe and healthy while they’re out here performing this essential task.”
People must register through a county call line at (813) 272-5900. The call center will be taking appointments starting March 31 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Along with bringing back the testing site, health officials are also working on new locations people can go if they are sick.
The county has an agreement with two hotels which are willing to become isolation and quarantine centers for people with COVID-19.